When you let the kids play, they often do big things. We've seen it all season long as MLB rookies have put up incredible performances. That's because this year's rookie class is absolutely stacked -- a truth confirmed by our latest Rookie of the Year poll.
The survey of 40 MLB.com experts shows just how much rookie talent permeates across the game. A total of 24 players received at least one vote, with a few teams having multiple players represented. But even with all the talent on display, two names have emerged as the clear favorites in each league.
As always, voters made their picks not just on how the season has gone so far, but also on how they expect things to play out the rest of the way.
Voters ranked their top five picks in each league on a 5-4-3-2-1 scale, with five points awarded for a first-place vote, four points for a second-place vote and so on. Here are the results.
All stats are through Monday.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
1. Kevin McGonigle, Tigers (186 total points; 30 first-place votes)
McGonigle has been the clear favorite in the AL for a while, and it's hard to argue with it because he just does a lot of things well. He leads all AL rookies with a .375 on-base percentage and 140 hits, ranks second in OPS+ (121), fourth in average (.274) and OPS (.790), and fifth in homers (14). He also has the lowest strikeout rate of any qualified rookie, at 13.7 percent. It's a skill set that's been worth 6.1 bWAR, which leads all MLB rookies.
2. Parker Messick, Guardians (132 total points; three first-place votes)
Messick has climbed one spot after third-place finishes in each of the past three votes because he continues to shove. The Cleveland lefty has not allowed more than two earned runs in a game since June 29, a span of 10 starts. His 11 wins and 161 strikeouts lead all AL rookies, while his 2.46 ERA leads all qualified MLB rookies and is third in the AL among all pitchers.
3. Munetaka Murakami, White Sox (124 total points; six first-place votes)
Murakami slowed a bit in August, but the lefty slugger still leads all AL rookies with 29 homers and an .855 OPS. His 57 percent hard-hit rate ranks among the top 1 percent in baseball, as evidenced by his 94 mph average exit velocity and 19.5 percent barrel rate, which is essentially the best in the game. If he hadn't missed more than a month with a hamstring injury, it's quite possible he'd be at or near 40 dingers.
4. Payton Tolle, Red Sox (46 total points)
Tolle has been a revelation for the Red Sox. His 3.23 ERA is second-best among the team's starters and also ranks fifth among his AL rookie peers. The lefty has made 11 quality starts this season, while his 147 strikeouts rank second among AL rookies. An example of him at his best came Aug. 13 in Toronto, when he tossed eight scoreless innings and allowed just two hits.
5. Tristan Peters, White Sox (42 total points)
Peters entered Tuesday hitting .278 with 12 homers and an .809 OPS, all strong numbers for a rookie. But when you combine a solid offensive game with his speed (in MLB's 83rd percentile) and outfield defense (11 Outs Above Average), you've got a potent presence in a lineup. Peters had an outstanding August, hitting .320 with a 1.054 OPS and homering in five straight games from Aug. 22-26.
Others receiving votes: Kazuma Okamoto, Blue Jays; Chase DeLauter, Guardians (one first-place vote); Travis Bazzana, Guardians; Walbert Ureña, Angels; Carter Jensen, Royals
NATIONAL LEAGUE
1. Sal Stewart, Reds (173 total points; 24 first-place votes)
When a rookie pops 30+ homers and leads the Majors with a 105 RBIs at the end of August, it's hard to argue against him as the ROY frontrunner. In fact, every rookie to compile a 30-homer, 100-RBI season since the award began in 1947 has taken home the trophy. And that's where the Reds slugger finds himself as the season's final month commences, with more opportunities to do damage. He was tied for the top spot in the last poll, but has taken a commanding lead here on the strength of a .333 average and a .955 OPS over his past 20 games.
2. JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals (140 total points, 10 first-place votes)
Wetherholt was a ROY favorite for a bit, but has slipped a spot thanks not only to Stewart's exceptional play but also because of his own cooldown in August (.595 OPS for the month) and a wrist injury that's going to sideline him for the early part of September. Still, he's had an overall impressive season. At the time he hit the IL, Wetherholt had 17 homers, second-most among NL rookies, and a .343 on-base percentage, which ranked fourth. But defense is where he's really stood out. Wetherholt's 21 Outs Above Average are the most of any MLB second baseman.
3. Nolan McLean, Mets (115 total points, two first-place votes)
The Mets have had a disappointing season, but their rookie talent portends good things for the future. Leading the way in that regard has been McLean, whose 172 strikeouts are the most of any MLB rookie hurler. Meanwhile, he leads NL rookie pitchers with 10 wins, while his 3.06 ERA ranks second. He's allowed more than two runs in a game just once since the end of June, and he's allowed just two earned runs total over his past four starts.
4. Carson Benge, Mets (106 total points, three first-place votes)
Benge is another Mets rookie who's given fans a reason to be excited about 2027 and beyond. He entered Tuesday with a .277 average, the second-highest among NL rookies, and 16 homers, which ranks third among the group. He has 19 stolen bases, too, which also ranks third among his NL rookie peers. Benge had a strong August, posting an .882 OPS for the month. And speaking of strong, do NOT run on Carson Benge. That arm strength is ELITE.
5. TJ Rumfield, Rockies (37 total points, one first-place vote)
Rumfield leads all NL rookies with a .290 average and a .383 on-base percentage. Meanwhile, his 61 RBIs rank second in the class. He's not just a product of Coors Field, either. Though eight of his 13 homers have come in Denver, he's hitting an identical .290 at home and on the road, while reaching base at a higher clip away from the mile-high altitude (.391 OBP vs. .375). The point is, he's been good everywhere.
Others receiving votes: Logan Henderson, Brewers; Bryce Eldrige, Giants; Joe Mack, Marlins; Foster Griffin, Nationals (now with Guardians); Konnor Griffin, Pirates; Esmerlyn Valdez, Pirates; Bubba Chandler, Pirates; Justin Crawford, Phillies